On much furniture, particularly that enriched with inlay, ivory escutcheons were used, and sometimes those of holly or other wood used in the inlay were set in. These were in use during the last years of the eighteenth century, and can be found in connection with various styles of handles.
At the "Smith's Fly" were many metal-workers who sold ironware and goods for cabinet-makers. At the sign of the "Cross Daggers," Thomas Brown, as early as 1745, had many metal furnishings on hand. There were latches and bolts for doors and locks for chests, drawers, and cabinets. He had polished brass handles, locks, escutcheons, and handsome brass locks for parlours. Ring-drops, tea-chest furniture, knobs and knockers for street doors, curtain-rings and chafing-dishes were advertised in 1750, and casters and handles and escutcheons of the newest fashion were to be found in 1751, with brass chair nails.
A few years later double and single spring chest-locks could be bought, and these were sold by the same merchant who imported--
--"choice India and Japan gilded Tea Tables, square Dressing ditto, of which sort none were ever seen in America before."
The rate to be charged for putting on these brasses was set down in "The Journeymen's Cabinet and Chair-makers Philadelphia Book of Prices," 1795, mentioned before. Common castors cost 2½_d_ each, and 1_d_ extra for letting in the plate; a set of sockets "when the legs are tapered, to fit in, per set," 1_s_ 2_d_. Iron or brass rollers were 8½_d_ per pair. Fitting on a box lock was 1_s_ 4_d_, while a patent lock came extra and cost 2_s_. Lifting handles could be put on for 1_s_ 4_d_ per pair. Letting in an escutcheon was 2½_d_ for each one, and letting in plates for rods in the tops of sideboards were 8_d_ for each plate. Ivory escutcheons cost 10_d_ each, and those of holly just half that.
If a person chose to have his furniture made on the premises it was an easy matter, for many cabinet-makers worked in this way, and the furniture could be built to suit exactly the prospective owner's taste and the place it was to occupy. None of the furniture made in America and little that was imported here, had the superb handles and escutcheons which were put on French and Dutch pieces. These mounts were executed and designed by artists, and made a decidedly beautiful addition to the furniture.